William George was very deaf because he had measles as a boy. The deafness created an interest in deaf aids which become a vocation.
He made several:
(i) a suitcase-sized mains driven model with a microphone which was placed on the dresser. (Hi Grandson, Harold, once got a severe shock which burned his thumb from the 400V-0-400V mains transformer)
(ii) a portable model built in a leather suitcase containing 2V lead-acid cell fro the valve filaments, and a large 120V zinc-carbon high tension battery. The Microphone was built into the suitcase – he was too “independently-minded” to have a microphone on the pulpit at Bath Chapel.
The interest developed further into making several radios. He used to drive a car, changing gears by “feel” – he couldn’t hear the engine. He was also a keen fisherman, who used to fish for pike in NW Somerset rivers using a rotating “spoon” dragged through the water. He wouldn’t use live bait – he thought it was too cruel.
Once he fell asleep and drove into a ditch on a day out blackberrying. He managed to get back all right, but decided not to tell anyone. However, two days later, someone came to the door to ask of his well being, and spilt the beans!
